Thursday, April 10, 2008

Yeah I know. Odd choice. But, when I stop and really listen, I love this song. Years after its release (of course I could not listen back then- they're too big) it still registers well with me.

Plus, another reason for my current interest, I am planning a return to the piano after a 20 year respite. At least now I know for certain that I will never be forced to play in church again.

In case you're interested here are the lyrics:

How long before I get in?Before it starts, before I begin?How long before you decide?Before I know what it feels like?Where To, where do I go?If you never try, then you'll never know.How long do I have to climb,Up on the side of this mountain of mine?

Look up, I look up at night,Planets are moving at the speed of light.Climb up, up in the trees,every chance that you get,is a chance you seize.How long am I gonna stand,with my head stuck under the sand?I'll start before I can stop,before I see things the right way up.

All that noise, and all that sound,All those places I got found.And birds go flying at the speed of sound,to show you how it all began.Birds came flying from the underground,if you could see it then you'd understand.

Ideas that you'll never find,All the inventors could never design.The buildings that you put up,Japan and China all lit up.The sign that I couldn't read,or a light that I couldn't see,some things you have to believe,but others are puzzles, puzzling me.

All that noise, and all that sound,All those places I got found.And birds go flying at the speed of sound,to show you how it all began.Birds came flying from the underground,if you could see it then you'd understand,ah when you see it then you'll understand.

All those signs, I knew what they meant.Some things you can invent.Some get made, and some get sent,Ooh--Birds go flying at the speed of sound,to show you how it all began.Birds came flying from the underground,if you could see it then you'd understand,Oh, when you see it then you'll understand.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

The banal clichés used in offices have always gotten on my freakin' nerves.

New Job has exposed me to several that I had not heard before. I wonder if they are specific to this company?

NoteAll emails are referred to as notes as in "I sent you a note about this yesterday" or "I just got a note from Bob confirming that he received a note from Betty yesterday."

OpportunityThe mandatory company-wide positive attitude causes most everyone to refer to any problem, oversight or major fuck up as an "opportunity." Example: "We have a strong opportunity in the domestic linens" meaning the ones we have don't sell worth a shit.

Drive, Driving, the DriverThe verb and objects derived from "drive" are taken as equivalents to "taking responsibility" or "responsible party" as in, "Homo Ono is the driver for this half-assed blog."

Own, Owning, the OwnerMuch the same as "driver" above, this is used to signify who to blame when things go badly.

Does that make sense?This phrase is used in such a condescending manner it might as well be followed with "you fucking idiot." People who are explaining things that they feel are obvious to someone who is either unaware or disbelieving will pause and ask "Does that make sense" in order to get a positive reply. Then they proceed as if they have presented a compelling argument for their point of view.

Yet none of these compare to the offensive way that a former co-worker used "white board" as a verb. Example: "This problem is so complicated, we really need to white board it out"- meaning, we need to diagram the situation on the erasable board in his office. The echo of those words will follow me to my grave.